title: Intercalation of the herbicide atrazine in layered double hydroxides for controlled-release applications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The herbicide atrazine was intercalated in the interlayer region of Mg/Al layered double hydroxides in order to produce a nanohybrid that could be used in controlled-release applications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hydrophobic herbicide was incorporated in artificial membranes formed in the interlayer of the inorganic host by using palmitic acid. The synthetic nanohybrid material was characterised by various techniques, and release studies were carried out. In addition, the photosynthetic alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dang. was treated with the atrazine-containing nanohybrid, which exerted an herbicidal efficacy similar to that of the free herbicide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The herbicide containing nanohybrid could enable a controlled release of the herbicide. In addition, the herbicide would be delivered close to its site of uptake, enhancing efficiency and reducing the required doses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Voutes-Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleftherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Touloupakis
authors.forename: Asimina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margelou
authors.forename: Demetrios F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Ghanotakis
mesh_terms: D001280:Atrazine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D006540:Herbicides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006540:Herbicides; D006878:Hydroxides; D001280:Atrazine